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Cahill in top form in New York

20 May 2013 05:24

Tim Cahill has continued his top form ahead of Australia's World Cup qualifiers in June with the winner in New York Red Bulls' 1-0 triumph over Los Angeles Galaxy.

Cahill notched his fourth goal in five games in Major League Soccer to give the Red Bulls their fifth victory in six matches, keeping the New York-based side at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

In classic Cahill fashion, the spring-heeled 33-year-old Australian got his head to Juninho Pernambucano's free-kick in the 91st minute, which gave Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini no chance.

Cahill, who sits one goal adrift of Australia's all-time goal-scorer Damian Mori, is almost certain to start all three of the Socceroos World Cup qualifiers next month and his Red Bulls teammate, Thierry Henry, reckons the former Everton midfielder is in top form.

"That is the Tim Cahill I know, the one I have seen doing this type of thing in the Premier League," Henry said after New York's win on Sunday.

The Socceroos sit third in their World Cup qualifying group for Brazil 2014 with three games remaining.

Cahill and Co. will travel to Group B-leaders Japan on June 4 before hosting Jordan in Melbourne (June 11) and Iraq in Sydney (June 18).

A draw in Japan will take the Socceroos to seven points and above second-placed Jordan on goal difference in the Group B standings, which would put Holger Osieck's side in the box seat to qualify for a third successive World Cup finals.